Councils prohibit householders from driving across pavements and verges because it can damage the tarmac or cables and pipes underneath. Permission is required to lower the kerb and strengthen the surface of the footpath.

The rise in applications follows sharp increases in the fees charged by local authorities for residents to park outside their homes. A study by the RAC found that in some areas takings from residents’ parking had risen by 90 per cent over the past five years with an average permit now costing £60.

Rebecca Clapham, of Direct Line, said that dropped kerbs could add value to properties.

She added: “For many local authorities, applications for changes to parking access and other planning requests are a valuable source of additional revenue. It is, however, a postcode lottery, while some authorities charge nothing for applications others charges hundreds of pounds.”